Andrew Solutions Upgrades SmartBeam For Wireless Operators

Wireless communication systems provider Andrew Solutions is offering its SmartBeam base station antenna system to wireless operator customers.

The SmartBeam system aims to provide wireless operators with an inexpensive tool to achieve load balancing across a cell site or a network cluster of cell sites. SmartBeam offers three levels of base station antenna pattern adjustments: beam tilting, panning and fanning. When used in combination, the three pattern adjustments redistribute capacity across a network cluster of sites based on changing traffic patterns.

Blue Sky Network Delivers Iridium Services to Mongolian Airline

Blue Sky Network has been selected by MIAT Mongolian Airlines to provide flight tracking, voice communications, and data messaging services onboard its fleet of B-737 aircraft.

The services, based on the Iridium satellite network, will be delivered through Blue Sky’s D1000A transceivers and ACH1000 voice and two-way messaging devices, designed to maintain communication throughout remote areas with little or no radio coverage.

Blue Sky’s SkyRouter Web portal will work in coordination with the D1000A to transmit satellite messages to and from aircraft en route or flight managers on the ground in the form of GPS position reports on takeoffs and landings, two-way text messages, or telemetric data reports.

CapRock Government Solutions Expands CommandAccess Offerings

CapRock Government Solutions has expanded coverage on its pre-packaged satellite subscription service, CommandAccess.

The service now includes a commercial X-band network with military-grade features for secure voice, video and data communications. The service supports Wideband Global Satellite certified terminals and enables customers to use existing remote field equipment or approved commercial satellite equipment on the CapRock network.

DirecTV To Launch ESPN 3D in June

DirecTV will add ESPN 3D to its dedicated 3-D programming package, scheduled to launch in June.

ESPN 3D will showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year, beginning June 11 with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match, featuring South Africa versus Mexico.

DirecTV’s 3-D TV package also includes, the N3D channel powered by Panasonic. DirecTV HD customers will need a 3-D television set and 3-D glasses to view the programming.

EchoStar Plans Dish Network Expansions in North America

EchoStar is planning to expand Dish Network’s broadcast market presence in North America following a capacity deal with SES and the launch of the EchoStar 14 satellite.

SES announced March 19 that it leased satellite capacity to EchoStar after the Mexican government granted SES subsidiary Sistemas Satelitales de México (SSM) approval to offer fixed Ku-band satellite capacity into Mexico via the AMC-15 and AMC-16 satellites.

EchoStar will use the capacity to offer full-time and occasional use space segment to authorized entities in Mexico through SSM while supporting broadcast services for the Dish Mexico direct-to-home service in Mexico and for the Dish Network direct-to-home service in the United States.

EchoStar also will use capacity on QuetzSat’s QuetzSat-1 satellite, scheduled to be placed at 77 degrees West in 2011, to provide additional coverage for these services.

GMV Provides GPS-Based System in Malaysia

GMV is supplying a GSM/GPRS/UMTS-powered urban transportation fleet control system for the city of Putrajaya, Malaysia.

GMV will partner with Raisevest to provide advanced, real-time urban-transportation passenger information to 150 urban and metropolitan buses, with plans to extend the system’s reach to 400 units.

The information posts and control center will use GSM/GPRS/UMTS technology from the Malaysian telephone operator, Celcom, backed up by Wi-Fi in bus depots. GMV’s M-20 onboard unit will track the buses equipped with the technology

The project also will include ticketing systems, driver interfaces, on-board and ATM fare-collection systems and a parking system.

Vizada, Indigo Launch ThurayaIP in Africa

Vizada and Nairobi-based Indigo Telecom have launched the ThurayaIP satellite service in Kenya and other parts of East Africa.

The offering, includes a broadband mobile satellite terminal, airtime, prepaid billing and technical support. The A5-sized mobile satellite terminal provides broadband data connectivity at speeds of 444 kilobits per second (kbps) and video streaming up to 384 kbps.

The offering customers to send e-mail, use internet and perform videoconferencing in remote areas and is intended for security companies, non-governmental organizations and media organizations operating primarily in Kenya, Southern Sudan and Somalia.

Yes Launches Video-on-Demand Service

Israeli DTH operator Yes has launched a video-on-demand service based on NDS technology.

The service will be based on Yes’s hybrid satellite-IP digital video recorder (DVR) platform. Yes subscribers will be able to download a movie or series to their MaxTotal HD DVR over the open Internet. Yes is offering access to 5,000 free and pay video-on-demand titles, including HD content, with plans to upload hundreds of new titles each month.